At its AGM on 12 June, Routes to Roots reported an increasing need for food among the vulnerably housed as well as the homeless in Poole.
The Big Breakfast provided by the charity for rough sleepers at The Fisherman Café ran from the end of November 2013 to the beginning of April 2014, a shorter period of 18 weeks in comparison to 21 weeks last year when the weather in April was severe. In that shorter period, however, the number of individuals assisted rose to 40, the average number of rough sleepers per week accessing the service increased by 33% and the number of breakfasts claimed rose by 38%.
The charity’s four Drop-Ins for rough sleepers and the vulnerably housed saw a similar increase in demand for food. In 2013 R2R saw 280 individual clients, an increase of 18% over 2012, with the maximum number of different people in one month (October) being 100. Whilst the number of individuals from January to May this year is down by 8% on last year, the number of meals served has risen by 18%.
Trustee Gabi Sanger-Stevens comments:“Not all those who attend our Drop-Ins are homeless and rough sleeping, although the majority of those in this category do come to us. We also see former rough sleepers, those who are currently homeless and relying on the generosity of friends to sleep on floors or sofas and others on the margins who are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Many, having been through the homeless route and now being housed, still find it difficult to manage and are beset by all sorts of problems in having to manage their finances, deal with maintaining a property, overcome loneliness. Sadly four clients who passed away last year had made the journey out of homelessness and into accommodation but their time on the streets took its toll.”
The charity reported a growth of 75% in corporate membership and 15% in church membership. Donations nearly doubled to £40,000 from £21,469 and fundraising by supporters brought in £10,045 as opposed to £1629 in the previous year. Volunteer numbers stand at 87 and between them they provided an estimated 5,500 volunteer hours in 2013-14.
R2R is continuing with established, successful projects and developing new ones to engage with vulnerable people to counteract some of the effects of being on the margins: increasing their abilities to look after themselves, offering opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community, to increase their life and employment skills and to develop their own well-being. This is alongside the very real need for the basics of food, clothing and friendship. The charity estimates all of its activities will cost £84,000 in 2014-15.
Reports and Unaudited accounts can be found on the R2R website: www.routestoroots.org
Susan Gittins
